Aggressive Northern BTS

[megamuff]

So, after my skink woke up from brumation he became very aggressive. He used to let me hold him and was very calm and almost seemed to enjoy being held. Today when I opened his enclosure I had to move a little bit of bedding aside. He was burrowed, but he was about 6 inches away from where I was moving it. Within 2 seconds he quickly came out from burrowing and ran at the enclosure door like he was trying to get my hand so I quickly closed it (I was also worried he’d try to get out and hurt himself). He’s done stuff like this multiple times in the past couple of months. What do I do? His cage is do to be cleaned but I’m honestly afraid of picking him up. He eats every 2-3 days, if I feed him less than that he acts more aggressive. He’ll be 1 year in May.

[mb606587]

If you do in fact have a male, it may be experiencing heightened aggression during mating season. This is fairly common in most species of reptiles and is known as mating season aggression. In fact, residents of Florida are often warned that American Alligators are most dangerous during the months of April and May. Once removed from the enclosure, your skink should calm down when properly held. Wear a thick pair of gardening gloves until your skink is not lunging anymore.

[splashy07]

I'd aso increase his feedings if he is more aggressive when not being fed. Anything I have under a year eats almost every day, and quite a bit this time of year when mating season ends.

[megamuff]

If you do in fact have a male, it may be experiencing heightened aggression during mating season. This is fairly common in most species of reptiles and is known as mating season aggression. In fact, residents of Florida are often warned that American Alligators are most dangerous during the months of April and May. Once removed from the enclosure, your skink should calm down when properly held. Wear a thick pair of gardening gloves until your skink is not lunging anymore.

Okay thanks. Not completely sure if he’s a male, I’ve just always said he

[megamuff]

I'd aso increase his feedings if he is more aggressive when not being fed. Anything I have under a year eats almost every day, and quite a bit this time of year when mating season ends.

Oh okay, thanks. Should I decrease the amount I feed and feed everyday? He gets a little more than a tablespoon of cat food (then I add an almost equal amount of veggies) every few days, so for daily feeding should I go to 1-2 teaspoons?

[splashy07]

At that age mine get a high grade dog food offered every other day. As much as they want.